Method and apparatus to optimize power to maximize performance of mesh sensors and control networks

Abstract

An automation component configured for optimized wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions being programmed to process at least one communication variable received via the wireless communications component; to optimize a communication or radio transmit power level associated with the wireless communication component, wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the at least one communication variable; and an adjustment of the communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An automation component configured for optimized wireless communication within a building automation system, the automation component comprising:
 a wireless communications component; 
 a processor in communication with the wireless communications component; 
 a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor; 
 wherein the computer readable instructions are programmed to:
 process optimization parameter data received via the wireless communications component, wherein the optimization parameter data includes a number of wireless communication components stored in a routing table in communication with the memory, the number of wireless communication components stored in the routing table including a number of next-hop wireless communication components relative to the wireless communications component; 
 optimize a communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the received optimization parameter data; and 
 adjust the communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The automation component of  claim 1 , wherein the optimization parameter data further includes a communications response time, an average round trip communications time, a number of communication retries, a type of wireless components, a number of communication retries to complete a communication between the wireless communications component and the one other wireless communications component, a type of wireless component, a proximity to other wireless communication components, a link quality index between the wireless communications component and one of the other wireless communications components, the link quality index comprising a received signal strength indication (RSSI) and a communication completion rate, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       3. The automation component of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication component is a transceiver. 
     
     
       4. The automation component of  claim 1 , wherein the optimization parameter data further includes a number of hops for a second automation component to reach the present automation component, a number of hops to a controller operable within the building automation system, a number of child automation components, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       5. The automation component of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication component is configured to communicate the optimized communication power level associated with the wireless communication component to a second wireless communication component. 
     
     
       6. The automation component of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication component is configured to communicate a second optimized communication power level associated with a second wireless communication component and the optimization parameter data to the second wireless communication component. 
     
     
       7. The automation component of  claim 1 , wherein memory is configured to store a plurality of values for the optimization parameter data, and
 wherein the processor is configured to compare the plurality of values as a function of time. 
 
     
     
       8. A building automation system configured for optimized wireless communication, the building automation system comprising:
 a first automation component having a first wireless communication component, the first automation component configured to:
 process at least one optimization parameter, wherein the at least one optimization parameter includes a number of wireless communication components stored in a routing table, the number of wireless communication components stored in the routing table including a number of next-hop wireless communication components relative to the first wireless communication component; 
 optimize a communication power level, wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the at least one optimization parameter; and 
 
 a second automation component having a second wireless communication component, the second wireless communication component in communication with the first wireless communication, 
 wherein the second automation component is configured to: adjust the communication power level associated with the second wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level. 
 
     
     
       9. The building automation system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one optimization parameter further includes a communications response time, an average round trip communications time, a number of communication retries, a type of wireless components, a number of communication retries to complete a communication between the wireless communications component and the one other wireless communications component, a type of wireless component, a proximity to other wireless communication components, a link quality index between the wireless communications component and one of the other wireless communications components, the link quality index comprising a received signal strength indication (RSSI) and a communication completion rate, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       10. The automation component of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second wireless communication components are transceivers. 
     
     
       11. The automation component of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one optimization parameter further includes number of hops for a second automation component to reach the present automation component, number of hops to a controller operable within the building automation system, number of child automation components, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       12. The automation component of  claim 8 , wherein the first wireless communication component is configured to communicate a second optimized communication power level associated with the second wireless communication component and the at least one communication variable to the second wireless communication component. 
     
     
       13. The automation component of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a memory that is configured to store a plurality of values for the at least one optimization parameter; and 
 a processor that is configured to compare the plurality of values for the at least one optimization parameter as a function of time. 
 
     
     
       14. A method for optimizing a wireless communication within a building automation system, the method comprising:
 storing a value of at least one optimization parameter in a memory, wherein the memory and the at least one optimization parameter are in communication with a processor; 
 processing the stored value of the at least one optimization parameter, wherein the at least one optimization parameter relates to a number of wireless communication components stored in a routing table in communication with the memory, the number of wireless communication components stored in the routing table including a number of next-hop wireless communication components relative to a wireless communication component in communication with the processor; 
 optimizing a communication power level associated with the wireless communication component, wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the at least one optimization parameter; and 
 adjusting the communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one optimization parameter further relates to a communications response time, an average round trip communications time, a number of communication retries, a type of wireless components, a number of communication retries to complete a communication between the wireless communications component and the one other wireless communications component, a type of wireless component, a proximity to other wireless communication components, a link quality index between the wireless communications component and one of the other wireless communications components, the link quality index comprising a received signal strength indication (RSSI) and a communication completion rate, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising detecting a value of the communication completion rate. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein processing at least one optimization parameter received via a wireless communications component includes receiving the at least one optimization parameter via a transceiver. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one optimization parameter is further related to number of hops for a second automation component to reach the present automation component, number of hops to a controller operable within the building automation system, number of child automation components, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 communicating the optimized communication power level associated with the wireless communication component to a second wireless communication component. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14 , wherein storing the value of the at least one optimization parameter includes storing a plurality of values for the at least one optimization parameter and wherein the processor is configured to compare the plurality of values for the at least one optimization parameter as a function of time.